Choosing the Right MCAT Syllabus Books for Success
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a crucial step for aspiring medical students. Administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), this seven-hour-plus exam assesses a range of subjects, from biological and biochemical foundations to critical analysis and reasoning skills. Adequate preparation is vital, and selecting the right MCAT study books is a key component of this process. MCAT study books need to be comprehensive, current, easy to absorb and fit your style of learning. Some people learn best with images and diagrams, others with quick flashcards or practical explanations… so think carefully about what you need.
Comprehensive Review Books
Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review
Kaplan MCAT books are popular for a reason. Quite frankly, if you’re searching for the best MCAT test preparation books - you can’t go too far wrong with Kaplan. Kaplan’s MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review reflects the latest, most accurate, and most testable materials on the MCAT. Kaplan MCAT books are popular for a reason. They’re number one on this list because no other subject reviews match up to their level of detail. Content is broken down into easily digestible chapters with plenty of charts, graphs, concept-checks and 3-D illustrations to aid study. Kaplan’s MCAT General Chemistry Review offers an expert study plan, detailed subject review, and hundreds of online and in-book practice questions-all authored by the experts behind Kaplan's score-raising MCAT prep course. This book has been updated to match the AAMC’s guidelines precisely-no more worrying about whether your MCAT review is comprehensive!
Pros:
- The most detailed and comprehensive MCAT preparation books available.
- Online portal with practice tests and quizzes.
- Chapter summaries and concept checks to reinforce learning.
Cons:
- Whilst they are comprehensive - Kaplan MCAT books are expensive.
- The level of detail can be problematic if you’ve left things a little late.
- Limited updates between new editions.
Kaplan can be your partner along the way-offering guidance on where to focus your efforts and how to organize your review.
Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review Complete Box Set
As another established and respected publisher, Princeton Review is a solid bet for MCAT study materials. Like Kaplan MCAT books, this complete set comes with seven individual books and three online practice tests, including tried and tested strategies for increasing your score. What’s more, Princeton Review books are written by real teachers with just a pinch of humour (and some high-quality graphics) thrown in. Trust us, when you’re deep into the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems - this helps!
Pros:
- In-depth coverage of key principles and information.
- Good value for money, written with personality.
- Online practice tests and thousands of practice questions.
Cons:
- Practice tests can be more difficult than the real thing.
- Some content sections are more detailed than others.
- Too much in-depth information can slow-down learning.
Affordable and Concise Options
Barron’s Test Prep: MCAT with Online Tests
If you’re looking for a combination of affordability and quality content - then Barron’s Test Prep might just win the award for the best MCAT test preparation books. The level of detail is more than sufficient to study topics with confidence, and it also offers online passages and practice tests which near-exactly mirror the real thing. With added materials covering test-taking anxiety and critical strategies, it’s a great choice for anyone suffering from exam-day nerves.
Read also: MCAT Exam Preparation
Pros:
- A budget-friendly, yet comprehensive option.
- Advice on anxiety, exam-pacing and problem solving.
- Can be paired with Barron flashcards to reinforce learning.
Cons:
- Some practice questions can be confusingly worded.
- Information is concise and easy to learn, but feels sparse at times.
- General reviews are more common than detailed explanations.
MCAT Prep Books (Test Prep Books)
Like Barron’s Test Prep, this is one of the more affordable MCAT preparation books. It covers every topic you need and is updated each year - so you know you’re working with the very latest MCAT study material. Test Prep Books provide practice questions, exercises, well-organised review material as well as detailed explanations of answers. So if you’re a learner that needs to understand the why as well as the what (and who doesn’t!?), it’s a fantastic option.
Pros:
- Easy to digest content and key takeaways for each section.
- Detailed explanations for every question/answer.
- Printed practice questions with straightforward reviews.
Cons:
- Practice questions can be relatively easy.
- Additional information about the actual exam would be useful.
- Material could be more detailed for those needing extra help.
Official AAMC Material
AAMC The Official Guide to the MCAT(R) Exam
The AAMC prep book stands out amongst the other MCAT study books on this list because, well, it’s the AAMC official guide! Given it’s developed by the people actually administering the test, you can expect realistic questions and expert overviews. Whilst you will get a clear idea of what you’ll be facing, the content can be a little dry and high-level. Consequently, this guide would work well alongside in-depth reviews (such as Kaplan or Princeton) as a complimentary preparation aid.
Pros:
- Authentic practice questions.
- Advice on scoring and exam insights.
- Created directly by the AAMC.
Cons:
- No online access to practice questions.
- Limited in-depth reviews of subject material.
- No full-length practice exams.
The Association of American Medical Colleges makes Practice Test 3 available for a fee.
Focus on Test-Taking Strategies
Examkrackers MCAT Complete Study Package
In this guide to the best MCAT preparation books, we’d be remiss not to mention Examkrackers. Whilst some students have criticised these books for being overly detailed - they are still great guides not just to the content, but also exam and revision strategies. If test-taking is something that worries you, Examkrackers can really help. The complete Examkrackers MCAT study books set offers full review of all the topics, with each section boasting clear graphics and diagrams, as well as practice questions. Two mini-exams in real MCAT format are also included.
Pros:
- Deep understanding of concepts with cross-discipline application.
- Plenty of practice questions and two mini-tests.
- Genuinely useful test-taking and revision strategies.
Cons:
- Information can be patchy (too much or too little) at times.
- Limited updates with new editions.
- Additional review material may be required.
The Importance of Practice
Kaplan’s MCAT General Chemistry Review offers an expert study plan, detailed subject review, and hundreds of online and in-book practice questions-all authored by the experts behind Kaplan's score-raising MCAT prep course. "MCAT Workout is designed specifically to provide ample practice with realistic MCAT-style questions and test passages, so that you'll approach this challenging and important test with confidence. More than 350 questions in the book and access to even more online-more practice than any other MCAT general chemistry book on the market. Online resources, including a full-length practice test, help you practice in the same computer-based format you’ll see on Test Day. Free online practice tests for the MCAT. Individuals must register to use this service. Provides interactive practice exams with immediate scoring, answers, and explanations.
Read also: GPA and MCAT for UCI Medical School
Key Features to Look For
- Comprehensive Content Review: The best practice Comprehensive general chemistry subject review is written by top-rated, award-winning Kaplan instructors.
- Visual Aids: Full-color, 3-D illustrations, charts, graphs and diagrams help turn even the most complex science into easy-to-visualize concepts.
- Expert Guidance: High-yield badges throughout the book identify the topics most frequently tested by the AAMC. We know the test: The Kaplan MCAT team has spent years studying every MCAT-related document available. Kaplan’s expert psychometricians ensure our practice questions and study materials are true to the test.
- Accuracy: All material is vetted by editors with advanced science degrees and by a medical doctor.
- Practice Questions: Kaplan’s MCAT General Chemistry Review offers an expert study plan, detailed subject review, and hundreds of online and in-book practice questions-all authored by the experts behind Kaplan's score-raising MCAT prep course.
Read also: MCAT for ACOM
